PRETEND PUBLIC CONSULTATION SUITS CHEMTURA, M.O.E. & WOOLWICH TOWNSHIP

Pretend public consultation was the idea from the beginning. After Pat and Susan figured that out (likely before me as Pat was a Councillor afterall) they decided to make the best of it. Of course they didn't share their coopting with their colleagues including Henry Regier, Ron Ormson (I hope), Gerry Heideburt, Fred Hager, Richard and myself. Henry figured it out next with me then second.

Only recently we have three more examples of the private, backroom deals between Chemtura and the Ministry of the Environment that have been going on forever. These deals totally excluded the public advisory committee (CPAC) because they are supposed to be seen and not heard.

The initial excavation of GP1 was supposed to have been .3 metre or all of one foot deep. This current CPAC with Sebastian on their case every single meeting told them that that was not remotely adequate. They adamantly refused to consider any deeper, anywhere. Lo and behold in December 2014 we receive their "Remediation and Capping of Former Gravel Pit Areas (GP1 & GP2)" only to learn that fifteen months earlier they excavated up to two metres in depth in one very large and heavily contaminated area. Not a word to CPAC. Not a hint for fifteen months after they had done at least partially what we had been advocating for years. Equally not a word out of the Ministry slimeballs at the table. Oh did I say that out loud? Apologies Mayor Mom for my language . I should have said not a word out of the integrity challenged, provincial experts at producing factual fictions, the M.O.E..

Round two occurred one year later. Without any consultation or sharing of data of any kind they went back and reexcavated three areas within GP1. It turned out that their inital go round in 2013 didn't quite cut it. Yes they advised that they were planning on doing a second round of excavations in 2014 in GP1 but certainly no maps or data were provided. Only in December 2014 did we get a look at how their original, published plans basically meant nothing.

Round three is in regards to Conestoga Rovers East Side Surficial Soil and Groundwater Investigation Work Plan. This allegedly is to address the disaster on the east side of their property as well as their neighbour's property (Stroh). This Investigation Work Plan was not brought forward prior to being published for any feedback from CPAC whatsoever. At no time was CPAC or SWAT consulted as to what we thought was necessary regarding either soil or water sampling. At no time did CRA or Chemtura decide that the expertise on CPAC which discovered the east side disaster might also have some good ideas towards investigating it scientifically. Furthermore CRA/Chemtura/M.O.E. are such rectums that they wouldn't even acknowledge CPAC's or Peter Gray of MTE Consultants input in their report. Again apologies Mayor Mom for using the word "rectums" but I thought it was more non-inflammatory than "assholes".

This is exactly what the partners in pollution want and only with strong support from Woolwich Council can CPAC insist on real public consultation. To date Woolwich Council (primarily Bauman & Mayor Shantz) want to hold their hands, soothe their ruffled feathers and scapegoat CPAC for the last twenty-five years of Chemtura/Ministry obfuscation and manipulation. This CPAC and the last Council had turned things around. This Council are on the verge of throwing it all away.